Lyric Opera of Chicago’s Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center announces auditions for 2027/28 Ensemble Singers

CHICAGO (2/12/2026) — The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center at Lyric Opera of Chicago announces that applications are now open for singers for its 2027/28 Ensemble.

Artists from around the world are invited to submit an initial online application, which includes video recordings. Applications are free and must be submitted via YAP Tracker; free registration for a YAP Tracker account is available at yaptracker.com. Deadlines for submission range from March 1 through May 31, 2026, depending on audition dates and locations. For complete information, visit lyricopera.org/ryanoperacenter/auditions.

Select applicants will be invited to live preliminary auditions in New York or Chicago. Final Auditions in October 2026 will include a hosted experience in Chicago with coachings, interviews, and auditions on Lyric’s mainstage.

The full-time contract dates for the 2027/28 Ryan Opera Center Ensemble Singers are approximately May 17, 2027, through April 1, 2028 (subject to change), with an option for renewal, as the positions are expected to have a two-year residency.

Recognized as one of the premier training programs for emerging operatic professionals, the Ryan Opera Center offers a comprehensive approach to artist development for advanced, post-collegiate-level singers. Ensemble members participate in rigorous training that includes voice lessons, language coaching, acting classes, and master classes with world-renowned artists. Through access to Lyric’s mainstage productions, participants understudy and perform alongside leading opera singers, conductors, directors, orchestra, and chorus.

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, parental status, socio-economic status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. We strongly encourage individuals of all backgrounds to apply.

For questions about Ryan Opera Center auditions, please contact Logan Skirm, at [email protected]. To learn more about the Ryan Opera Center, visit lyricopera.org/ryanoperacenter.

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About the Ryan Opera Center

The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center is Lyric’s preeminent artist-development program that nurtures the talents of some of the most promising operatic artists of each generation. The program’s Ensemble members earn their coveted spot by successfully auditioning among more than 500 artists worldwide. Its alumni are among the dominant names in opera today. Donor generosity ensures continued unparalleled training, performance experience, and professional readiness of Ensemble members. This highly competitive program, established in 1974, is led by Director Dan Novak, Music Director Craig Terry, and Director of Vocal Studies Julia Faulkner.

Learn More about the Ryan Opera Center

About Lyric

Lyric Opera of Chicago is where the world sings — and where Chicago comes alive.

Under the leadership of General Director, President & CEO John Mangum and Music Director Enrique Mazzola, Lyric stands at the intersection of artistic excellence and civic purpose, harnessing the full power of opera — voice, orchestra, stagecraft, and story — to illuminate the questions, emotions, and experiences that define us as human beings. Nearly 75 seasons of world-class performances have made Lyric one of the greatest opera companies in the world. What drives us now is what has always driven us: the belief that this art form, at its best, can move people in ways nothing else can.

Lyric is also Chicago’s partner — in its neighborhoods, its schools, and its communities — through education, engagement, and a relentless commitment to making opera accessible, relevant, and irresistible to everyone. At the heart of that commitment is The Patrick G. and Shirley W. Ryan Opera Center, which trains the artists who will carry this art form into its future. Every night when the curtain rises, Lyric reminds this city — and the world — why live performance still matters.

Lyric Opera of Chicago doesn’t just present opera, it redefines what opera can be. It’s where Chicago comes to be moved, inspired, and connected.

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